The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-05-05


The fairest ever seen,
| Carolina's daughters long will strive
To keep the garland green.
SECRETARY LAMAR'S GRAFTON.
Immediately following the reading of
this ode, Mayor Courtenay introduced
Secretary Lamar, who delivered most
able and eloquent address upon the life
and character of John G. Calhoun.
Mr.. Lamar spoke with like earnestness
and case, his voice being modulated
with the skill of trained orator, while
his manner impressed every hearer with
his own deep interest in tho subject of
his address. 1t is needless to add that
his audience showed that interest to the
end, as was manifested by the attention
with which his words were followed
throughout, and the hearty and sincere
congratulations of these immediately
around him when he gracefully retired
from the front of the stand and resumed
his scat.
The Rev. w. L. Junkin then read the
following
ODE, BY MRS. MARGARET j. PRESTON.
Written by request, for the unwilling
OF tho Statue of John c.. Calhoun, at
Charleston, South Carolina, April Goth,
1871
Stand forth, storm patriot! calm, severe,
AS III thine hours supreme elation,
When eager Senates thronged to hear
Tho voice that thrilled listening ma
tion.
Step from thy civic chair; receive
The homage which thy people render:
The best that grateful hearts can give
10 keep thy memory fresh and tcndcl.
Our City by the Sea, while yet
Disaster lays its grasp upon her,
Remembers her inviolate debt
Ofpride and reverence, love and honor.
Her spires may rock, her towers may
fall, L.
Her centuried grandeur sink and
perish;
Her homes be ravaged, roof and wall,
And ruin blast what most she cher
ished;-
Yet while one spot stands firm and fair,
Safe from the elemental riot,
Wen place our patriot-warder there,
Sublime in his majestic quiet.
Through life his watch knewno sltrcease
What then, if in the far Elysian,
Through the clear atmosphere of peace,
He holds us still in vatic vision.
The eye SO keon to note the wrong,-
The voice SO firm for law and ORDER
Shall we not own their guidance strong
From mountain crest to ocean border?
With reverence for the power that led
His mind to each profound conviction,
We bow beneath his hand outspread,
And hore receive his benediction!
TRUTH with her mirror, at his feet,
Gives back, without wane Of glory,
His whole consistent life, complete
AS some clear page of classic story.
Stern JUsr1cEvows, by sword and shield
Her robes of regal state upon hcr,-
That she, rs soon her scales could Weld,
As bn-hiS {iornlino'c % bnnnrI
And i'll her sovereign majesty,
The CONSTITUTION, with her token
Spread open on her Bonded knee,-
Not one of oil her fasces broken
Looks up to him, whose giant thrust
Still kept at bay each pressing foeman :;
Ready to die,-if die he must
"Pro Patria!" grand rs any Roman!
See! HISTORY takes her diamond pom,
10 trace with calmness unimpassioncd,
From first to last, his life,-for whe2
Was statesman's life so purely fash
ioned?-
XIV.
SO tireless in its aim to Wage
The war of splendid word and action
SO staunch amid the rant and rage
Of obvious and ignoble faction;-
So like lighthouse on n rock,
When fast the surges swirl, and faster;
Still warning those who did but mock,
OF tempest, shipwreck, wrench, disas-
| Yet, ere the onset, doomed to die!
Disdaining place, and fame and favor:
-"My country!'-still his latest sigh
81 would have staked my life to save
herp
XVII.
Yea, when the stress Of peril came,
And wars wild ravage sore bCstead
them,
| Hc would have led her hosts through